Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 44

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172

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James V. Bourland pursued his education in the schools of Ozark and in Canehill College, after which he pursued his law course in Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, being graduated from the law department there in 1876. The same year he was admitted to practice by the supreme court and opened an office in Ozark, where he remained until 1903. Under appointment he served as chancellor of the tenth district of Arkansas for four years and was then elected for a six years' term. at the close of .

Vol. 11-18

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which period he was reelected for another six years. He took up the duties of judge of the chancery court in that term but resigned in the fall of 1913 and was appointed United States district attorney through the influence of Governor Clarke and Senator Jeff Davis. He filled the position for four years, after which he practiced his profession in Fort Smith for about a year and then again became a candidate for the office of chancellor, being elected over his opponent by a majority of one thousand votes. He is still filling this position and doubtless can continue in the office as long as he desires, for he is making a most competent, successful and popular chancery judge. As chancellor he is strict in the enforcement of divorce statutes and his position on this question is known throughout the state. He has been continuously in the office of chancery judge since 1903, save for the period when he acted as district attorney and the one year of his law practice at Fort Smitlı.

On the 29th of April, 1891, Judge Bourland was married to Miss Bonnie Jean Carter, who was born in Ozark, Arkansas, and is a daughter of Dr. W. A. Carter, an early physician of Ozark, who practiced there for a number of years. He was related to the Lee family of Virginia and to the Taylor family of Tennessee. Judge and Mrs. Bourland are parents of four children: Annie Marr, who was educated in the high school at Fort Smith; Mary Rebecca, who has also completed her education in the high school of Fort Smith; Wallace Carter, who is studying law under the direction of his father; and James V., who is a traveling salesman, representing an Atlanta (Ga.) house. The elder son was graduated from the high school of Fort Smith and became chief clerk to his father in the office of the United States attorney. In November, 1916, he resigned his clerkship and volunteered his services to his country. He served in the One Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery during the World war, being stationed at Camp Beaure- gard and at Camp Logan H. Roots, receiving his discharge on the 29th of November, 1918.

Judge Bourland has always been a democrat in politics but not an aspirant for office outside of the strict path of his profession. He is a member of the Society of Applied Psychology of New York and is interested in many broad scientific questions. His read- ing is comprehensive, he delves to the root of all matters and by reason of his splendid mental development association with him means expansion and elevation. Judge and Mrs. Bourland and their two daughters are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, South, of Fort Smith.

Judge Bourland for some time has been preparing manuscript for a treatise soon to go to press, The Science of the Christian Religion. His conception is that fundamentally, pure truth nowhere incongruous, therefore to organize scientific knowledge, so that the several separate sciences may fit their cogs properly into the cogs of other wheels; and on in succession, until the entire category be fitted out as a "set up" mechanism; that thus common ground of agreement may assuredly be found; since, with the several parts assembled and adjusted, all one has to do in proof of the efficiency of the mechanism as an entirety, is to observe directions for engaging the Power, and then to turn it on.

PROFESSOR J. J. TIBBITS.

The standard of public education' in Arkansas is being constantly raised and men of marked ability are being called to serve as teachers and as directors of the educational work of the state. Well known in this connection is Professor J. J. Tibbits, now county superintendent of schools of Ouachita county and a resident of Camden. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Calhoun county, August 26, 1874, his parents being J. T. and Martha (Moore) Tibbits. The father was born near Atlanta, Georgia, while the mother is a native of Calhoun county, Arkansas. The grandfather, Moses Moore, came to this state from Alabama some time in the early '40s, settling in Calhoun county, while Job W. Tibbits, the grandfather in the paternal line, came from Georgia and established his home in Calhoun county in the early '50s. He was killed by one of the marauding bands that infested the neighborhood during the Civil war. J. T. Tibbits served with the Confederate army during the period of hostilities between the north and the south under General Joseph E. Johnston, remaining at the front throughout the war period. He is now living retired in Fordyce. His wife departed this life in May, 1900.

Professor J. J. Tibbits obtained his early education in the public schools of Fordyce and afterward attended the Clary Training School at that place. Later he became a student in Highland Park College at Des Moines, Iowa, and also attended four summer sessions at the Peabody Normal School in Nashville, Tennessee. Throughout his life he has remained a student of men and events and has also read most widely along the line which brings well rounded mental development. He became a teacher prior to his , eighteenth year, taking up the work of the profession in the spring of 1892. For five

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years he filled the position of principal of the Fordyce schools and was also principal of the Millville schools for a similar period. He then returned to Fordyce, where he was again principal of school for one year. He was then called to take the supervision of the Bearden schools and remained principal at that place for eight years, after which he was a teacher at Eagle Mills, Chidester, Buena Vista and other points. His ability constantly increased as the result of his broadening experience and wide study and he became recognized as one of the able educators in connection with the public school system of Arkansas. His exposition of any question before the students is always clear and he has the faculty of largely winning their cooperation in connection with his pur- poses as a teacher. Professor Tibbits was first called to public office when in 1916 he was elected county treasurer of Ouachita county and so capably did he serve in that position that he was reelected in 1918, remaining the incumbent in the office for four years. He also held the office of county examiner from 1910 until 1914 and in 1920 he was elected superintendent of schools of Ouachita county, taking the office on the 1st of January, 1921. He belongs to the State Educational Association, also to the Ouachita County Educational Association and is constantly alert to every opportunity that will promote his efficiency and advance his powers in the educational field.

On the 13th of August, 1902, Professor Tibbits was married to Miss Grace Weaver of Millville, and they have become parents of four children: Frances Louisa, now a student in the Arkansas State University; Lloyd Weaver, attending the Camden high school, in which he is a senior; Jefferson Dobb and Marian Elizabeth, both attending school. Professor Tihhits and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is serving on its board of stewards. He takes a most active and helpful part in all the church work and is now district lay leader and also superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is connected with Abana Lodge, No. 271, A. F. & A. M., of Bearden, Arkansas, and is a faithful follower of the teachings and high purposes of the craft. He is ever interested in all of those projects which are looking to the benefit and upbuilding of community and commonwealth and is a loyal supporter of every project that promises advancement along intellectual and moral lines.

WINFIELD S. HOLT.

Winfield S. Holt, president of the Arkansas Abstract & Loan Company and one of the most progressive and enterprising business men of Little Rock, has long been an important factor in the business circles of the city. He came to this state from New England, his birth having occurred in Tolland county, Connecticut, June 26, 1864. He is a grandson of the Hon. Orrin Holt, who represented Connecticut in congress and who belonged to one of the distinguished old families of that section of the country. Norman and Catharine (Griggs) Holt, pareuts of Winfield S. Holt, removed from the Atlantic seaboard to Missouri in 1868 and took up their abode on a farm in Knox county. There the son, then but four years of age, was reared in the usual manner of the farm bred boy. He pursued his early education in the public schools of that county and started out in the business world in 1881, when a youth of seventeen years, by entering the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Tamaroa, Illinois, where he remained for two years. At the end of that time he came to Little Rock and initiated his business career in this city by accepting a clerical position in the First National Bank, of which the late Logan H. Roots was then president. A little later Mr. Holt became identified with mercantile interests as treasurer of the S. B. Kirby Company and in June, 1887, he accepted the position of Little Rock representative for the Union Manufacturing Company of Toledo, Ohio, engaged in the manufacture of sewing machines. Mr. Holt conducted the business for this corporation at the corner of Main and Sixth streets and not only did he have the supervision of the company's interests in Arkansas, but also in Texas. Oklahoma and Indian Territory, this being prior to the coalition of the last two. Thus step by step Mr. Holt advanced in business circles to a place of prominence and in 1897 he received from President Mckinley appointment to the position of postmaster.

The official service of Mr. Holt was characterized by the utmost fidelity to principle and crowned with the confidence and high respect of all who knew aught of his service. He was twice reappointed to the position under President Roosevelt and for twelve years and eight months continued as postmaster of the city, remaining in the office until his successor qualified on the 1st of March, 1910. He thoroughly systematized the work of the office, rendered to the public the best possible service and was instrumental in promoting the movement leading to the erection of a large addition to the post office building. Following his retirement from office Mr. Holt became manager of the farm and loan department of the Arkansas Guaranty Title & Trust Company of Little Rock

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and at the present time he is at the head of the Arkansas Abstract & Loan Company, controlling important and extensive interests of that character.

On the 22d of December, 1886, Mr. Holt was united in marriage at Albion, Illinois, to Miss Maud S. Spiller, a native of Carbondale, Illinois, and a daughter of George Spiller, now deceased. Mrs. Holt possesses marked artistic talent of high order and one of her canvases has been hung in the Paris salon. The social position of Mr. and Mrs. Holt is a most enviable one and their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. Mr. Holt has long figured as one of the leaders of the republican party in this state and formerly served as secretary of the republican state central committee. He was also at one time chairman of the county central committee and secretary of the state league of republican clubs. He is likewise widely known in fraternal and social organizations and stands at all times for those things which make for public progress, for civic betterment and for higher standards and ideals of life.

JOHN FLETCHER.

As one peruses the history of Arkansas the name of Fletcher is frequently seen, for practically all of the representatives of the name in the state have come from the same pioneer ancestor who settled in this section of the country before Arkansas was even organized as a territory. John Fletcher, whose name introduces this review, was born in Pulaski county, March 10, 1849, and is a son of Thomas and Lucinda (Beavers) Fletcher. His grandfather, Henry L. Fletcher, belonged to one of the old families of Tennessee and married Miss Mary Lindsey, a native of Mississippi, the wedding being celebrated in 1814, after which they settled in Arkansas, then a part of the Louisiana purchase. This was in 1815 and this worthy couple are the progenitors of the various Fletcher families known in Arkansas today-men and women whose records have reflected credit and honor upon the name and also upon the history of the state in which they have made their home. Hon. Thomas Fletcher, the eldest son of the pioneer. Henry L. Fletcher, and the father of John Fletcher, was a dominant factor in the growth of Little Rock and of the state. He became a distinguished lawyer and held many offices of honor and trust which he ably filled. He twice served as sheriff of Pulaski county, occupying that position from 1858 until 1862 and again from 1866 until 1868. In 1862 he was elected to the state legislature and in 1885 he was appointed United States marshal for the eastern district of Arkansas, occupying that position until his death in 1900.

John Fletcher, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the common schools and in St. John's College at Little Rock and afterward took up the study of law, pursuing his course in the Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, from which historic old institution he was graduated in 1871, with the Bachelor of Laws degree. He then returned to Little Rock, where he took up the practice of his profession in the office of his father, who was a member of the law firm of Farr & Fletcher. Soon afterward he became associated in practice with William C. Ratcliffe, under the firm style of Ratcliffe & Fletcher and this connection was maintained during the remainder of his life, the firm building up one of the largest and most important law practices in the state. Mr. Fletcher was for many years ranked with the most prominent members of the Little Rock bar. He belonged to all of the bar associations and for an extended period served on the general council of the American Bar Asso- ciation. He served as special judge of the circuit, chancery and supreme courts of the state and on one occasion was candidate for the position of justice of the supreme court on the democratic ticket, having been throughout his life an earnest and active supporter of democratic principles.

In March, 1875, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Moose, a daughter of James M. and Emily (Stockton) Moose. Mrs. Fletcher was born in Mor- rillton, Conway county, Arkansas, and is a representative of old pioneer families in both the paternal and maternal lines. Her mother, Sophia Emily Stockton, was descended from Richard Stockton, who signed the Declaration of Independence as one of the delegates from New Jersey. Mary Emily Moose was educated in the public schools and also in the Martha Washington College. By her marriage she became the mother of a son, Thomas, who is operating a plantation in Pulaski county.

Mr. Fletcher was a lifelong member of the Christian church and served as one of its elders from the time he attained manhood until he was called to his final rest in 1911. His life was greatly beneficial to the community in which he lived by reason of his earnest support of all measures for the general good. He was one of the faculty of the law department of the University of Arkansas from its foundation until his death, and was dean of the law department and lecturer on the laws of real property.

JOHN FLETCHER

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Mrs. Fletcher's place in the social circles of Arkansas is an enviable one. She was formerly president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, and served as vice president of the National Association of Musical Clubs. She has membership in the Aesthetic Club, of which she has been treasurer, was formerly president of the Edel- weiss Club and also president of the Musical Coterie. For eight years she was president of the State Missionary Society of the Christian church and she is the recording secre- tary of the Pulaski County Tuberculosis Association, She is an accomplished musician and was volunteer organist of the Winfield Memorial church. She is also a member and officer of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She ranks with the social favorites of the city and has friends in every city and section of the state.

JACOB R. RIGHTSELL.

Abraham Lincoln said, "There is something better than making a living-making a life," and a modern philosopher has given the estimate of man's work in the world in the following: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success." Judged by this standard Professor Jacob R. Rightsell was a most successful man. Little Rock enjoyed the benefit of his services as superintendent of her public school system for a quarter of a century and he was ranked with the most eminent educators of the southwest. He did not regard education merely as the imparting of knowledge to others, but rather as a means for the develop- ment of individual power and ability in preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. His entire work, therefore, was directed with that end in view and there are many who acknowledge their indebtedness to him for the stimulus which he gave them while they were students under his care.

Professor Rightsell was a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred on a farm near Mattoon, Coles county, December 15, 1846. His youthful experiences were those of the farm bred boy and he learned from nature many a valuable lesson as he performed his part in cultivating the fields and caring for the crops. He early manifested the desire for educational advancement and utilized every opportunity that would enable him to promote his knowledge. When quite young he took up the profession of teaching in the common schools and was but twenty-three years old when he came to Arkansas. In 1869 he established his home in Little Rock and was continuously a resident of the capital city until his death, save for the period of six years from 1874 until 1880 when he held a position in the congressional library in the city of Washington. Throughout the time of his connection with Little Rock he was identified with the public school system and made most valuable contribution to its improvement and development. In January, 1870, he was elected principal of the Peabody school and in December, 1872, he was advanced to the position of superintendent of the public schools of the city, in which capacity he continued to serve until he passed on to find solution in a broader sphere of existence for the mysteries which lay beyond mortal ken. No better charac- terization of his life and work can be given than by quoting from the Arkansas Democrat, which at the time of his demise wrote of him as follows: "Probably there are more of the successful men of the state who were educated under his superintendency than under that of any other teacher in the state, and for that reason his death will be felt as a very general personal loss. He was prominent in educational work, and besides contributing much to the growth and development of the Little Rock school system, which was his pride, he was interested in state and national affairs. He represented Arkansas in the National Educational Association several years as vice president and also as state manager. He was also one of the originators of the Arkansas State Teachers' Association, heing first its secretary and later its president. He was a trustee of the Arkansas School for the Blind for more than a decade, under the former management of the school, and at one time was president of the board. During his incumbency of this office the present buildings were erected. He was also a member of the American Geographical Society." The editorial which appeared in the Arkansas Democrat of the same date, October 11, 1905, reads with but slight change in phraseology, as follows: "Professor Jacob R. Rightsell, for thirty years superintendent of public schools in this city, who had indeed given his life to the advancement of the school interests of Little Rock and of the state, died at his residence in this city at six o'clock yesterday afternoon. after an illness extending over a period of several months. His death was not unexpected to a host of friends who had felt an earnest solicitude concerning his physical condition during the past few months. It was remarkable, indeed, that this battle for life and health should have lasted so long under the adverse conditions that attended his last illness. It was the strong will power that had characterized his life that sustained him in his last efforts. Though his physical system was in a wretched state, his mind

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retained strength and his eye was as bright a few hours before his death as in the days of his prime. He went to his last reward fearlessly and with the consciousness of having rounded out a long and useful career. There was much for him to live for and those who loved him most were anxious to stay the hand of death. He wanted to live for them, but an all-wise Providence had decreed otherwise. He had fought a good fight and had kept the faith. If the good men in this life shall plead for recognition in the life to come, then Professor J. R. Rightsell will have ample representation at the seat of judgment. Much of his life had been devoted to efforts in behalf of others. In his death the state loses one of its ablest and most prominent educators; indeed, he stood in the foremost ranks of advanced thinkers in the entire southwest. Little Rock has lost a true friend and the school patrons and thousands of young people will feel that they have sustained a personal loss. There will be sorrow in many a home when it is known that this good man is no more."

In young manhood Professor Rightsell was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Wil- shire, a daughter of the late William W. Wilshire. She, too, was born in Illinois and died November 7, 1903. They are survived by two sons: Richard W. and William W., both of whom have taken prominent places in the business circles of Little Rock. The latter is now a director of the State National Bank, in charge of its real estate depart- ment, while the elder son, Richard W., is mentioned at length on another page of this work. Both Professor Rightsell and his wife were members of the Episcopal church, loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. It was his Christian belief that caused Mr. Rightsell to put forth the greatest possible efforts in service for his fellow- men. He died on the 10th of September, 1905, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and many there were who bore testimony to the value of his life and work. A contemporary writer said of him, "There is no need for conjecture or uncertainty in determining as to the value and success of the life work of the late Professor Jacob R. Rightsell, who was one of the foremost factors and most practical philanthropists of Arkansas and he realized in the most significant sense that the true success is not that gained through personal preeminence or personal aggrandizement, but rather that which lies in the eternal verities of human sympathy and helpfulness. His was not the great worldly success, in the accepted application of the term, but he left a greater heritage of noble thoughts and noble deeds. He was a man of broad intellectnality and viewed life and its respon- sibilities in their right proportions. He was not given to half-views and rash inferences. The leap from the particular to the general is ever tempting to the thoughtless but not to this man of strength, judgment and lofty motives." A most interesting estimate of the character and worth of Professor Rightsell was given by one of his oldest and most intimate friends, Major Robert H. Parham, county school examiner. who said, "Professor Rightsell was a capable, judicious and efficient superintendent. His intercourse with the teachers was always characterized by a great deal of kindness and consideration. He displayed great wisdom in dealing with all questions arising between patrons and teachers. One of his chief policies in dealing with the teachers was to permit them the full use of the individual qualities without hampering them with formal rules. No superintendent was ever more loved by a whole corps of teachers than was Professor Rightsell. During his long administration his whole heart was devoted to the welfare of the school system of the city, and the schools had grown from a few poor buildings to a magnificent series of buildings, some among the best in the country. The corps of teachers had grown from twenty-five to eighty-one, and the enrollment had more than doubled. He was progressive in his methods and ever ready to adopt anything that would tend to increase the efficiency of the schools." The city of Little Rock has perpetuated his memory by naming one of its modern school buildings after him.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 44

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878 Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1172

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172